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The Daito Corporation, a subsidiary of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. („K“ LINE), has announced the construction of a second electric tugboat named „EV Tugboat No. 2.“ The new vessel will have a gross tonnage of 260 and is set to operate in Tokyo Bay. It is suitable for various towing operations and is intended to serve as a standard model for future electric tugboats, according to K Line.
Technical details and innovations
The planned tugboat will be equipped with a new direct current distribution system that is designed to control both propulsion and onboard power supply. The motor of the „EV Tugboat No. 2“ is expected to provide a power output of 4,400 horsepower, representing an increase compared to the 3,600 horsepower motor of the first electric tugboat. Additionally, the auxiliary generator of the new tugboat will be controlled by a condition monitoring system (CMS) that activates when battery capacity is insufficient. The collected operational data is intended to help optimize power supply and reduce fossil fuel consumption.
The initiative to build the „EV Tugboat No. 2“ has been included in a subsidized program that addresses navigation efficiency and the transition to non-fossil energy sources in coastal shipping. This program is jointly managed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan. The Daito Corporation expects that the project will contribute to promoting environmental initiatives in the Japanese coastal shipping industry.
